Nozzle construction for hair driers



Jan. 2, 1951 F. v. FoRss 2,536,925

NOZZLE CONSTRUCTION FOR HAIR DRIERS File@ April 18, 1949 Patented Jan. 2, 19 51 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i v 2,536,925 NGZZLE' CONSTRUCTION FOR HAIR DRIERS Fritz Victor Forss, Racine, Wis., assigner to John Oster Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 18, 1949? Serial No. 88,061

This invention relates to electric appliances and refers more particularly to hair dryers of the Jtype having an electric heating element positioned in the discharge nozzle thereof to heat the air flowing therethrough.

It has been customarymin hair dryers of this type to have the heating element of the dryer removable for servicing or replacement. However, removal of the heating element frequently involved such extensive dismantling of the dryer that it was far easier to return the dryer to the factory for repairs. i

lt is therefore an object of this invention to provide a hair dryer of the character described which features ready removability of its heating clement without the necessity of dismantling the housing of the dryer. I

A further and more specific object of this invention is to provide a hair dryer of the character described with a nozzle having means cooperable with the heating element' for the dryer to readily detachably mount the heating element in the nozzle in a manner automatically establishing the electrical connections necessary for energization of the heating coil of the element.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the preciseem-I bodiment of the hereindisclosed invention mayl be made as come within the scope or" the claims. The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of' the invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional View taken through the air discharge nozzle of a hair dryer and showing the heating. element of thisinven-i.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanyng drawing, in which like numerals identify.

1'1 claims. (el. 21a-39) like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 designates generally the discharge nozzle of an electrical hair dryer. rihe housing of the dryer (not shown) is preferably made from complementary sections stamped of sheet metal, and the nozzle is formed by longitudinally extending complementary extensions and 'I on the housing sections which together provide a tubular passage or duct leading from the interior of the housing and through which air is forced by an impeller (not shown) within the housing. rl'he nozzle 5 is of a sufficient length to house a heating element, indicated generally by the numeral t, which provides for heating the air flowing from the nozzle to a desirable temperature.

Positioned in the nozzle E remote from the discharge end 9 is the heating element supporting structure I3. This structure comprises a U- shaped metal bracket II, the legs I2 of which project toward the discharge end 9 of the nozzle and overlie diametrically opposite side wall portions of the complementary nozzle section l. The legs I2 are preferably attached, as by rivets I4, to the longitudinal margins I3 of the section 'i which t inside similar longitudinal edge portions l3' of the nozzle section i5 so that the riveted connection is concealed by the edge portion i3 of the section 6. The closed end i5 oi the bracket H thus projects centrally across the interior of the nozzle between the overlapping edges I3 and I3 thereof.

Forwardly of and spaced from the closed end l5 of the bracket II is a supporting bar IS of insulative material and likewise lying transversely ofthe nozzle 5, parallel to the closed end of the bracket. The supporting bar IS is assembled to the bracket Il before the bracket is iixed in the nozzle, and for this purpose the bracket has a pair of. ears Il struck inwardly from the legs I2 thereof to which the bar I6 is secured by means of screws it passing rearwardly through the bar and-threading into the ears behind the bar.

i-'Asmay be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the ears Il are so located that the bar secured thereto is positioned substantially medially of the ends of the legs I2 and in iront of the ears. In this manner the legs l2 extend forwardly of the bar I3 a suicent distance to enable easy securement of the bracketl l in the nozzle with the rivets I4 passing throughl the forwardly extending portions of the legs, while enabling removal of the bar from the front or discharge end of the nozzle. f

The bar It is provided with an aperture I9 at a point medially of its ends and of a size to receive a rod I9 projecting along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle. One end of the rod I9 is securely anchored to the closed end I5 of the v bracket I I, and the opposite end terminates adjacent to the discharge end of the nozzle. In the present instance the inner end of the rod is provided with Va threaded end portion 2U which threads into a hole provided in the closed end of the bracket. A jam nut 2I on the rod bears against the bracket, at the front side of the closed end thereof, to normally preclude unthreading of the rod from the bracket.

While the aperture I9 in the bar I6, as V*shown in Figure 3, is sufficiently large to loosely receive the rod I9', it should be understood that the aperture may be sized to snugly receive the -ro'd1 and provide additional support for it.

Embracing the insulating bar I6 and fixed thereto, is a pair of substantially U-shaped spring clip contacts 22, positioned on the bar in spaced relationship to one another and the walls of the nozzle 5. Each of the contacts 22 is fixed to, the bar I-6- by a screw 23 which passes through thev bar I6 and the closed end 24 of the contact, and; a nut threaded onto the screw 23. TheI arms 25 of the contacts have fiat portions which` embrace the sides of the bar I3 and the arms yproject be. yond the bar toward the discharge end 9' of the nozzle 5. The free outer end portions ofthe arms` of each contact are bowed slightly toward one another, as at 2l, and constitute the clip 'oi' socket portion of the contact.

It should be noted that the screwsr23 project to the rear of the bar I6 and have sufficient. length to allow electric supply conductors' to be connected thereto in a conventional manner.

Particular attention is directed tothe fact that the component parts of the supporting structureY IB can be subassembled to the bracket II `prior to assemblyA in the nozzle and, hence, the entire structure I0 may be readily assembled in the nozzle as a unit.

The removable heating element 8, show-n bestv in Figures 1 and 2, comprises an elongated hub 28` having a central aperture 29, and circumfere entially spaced ribs 30 extending longitudinally along the hub and projecting radially tl'ierefromg.k In the present instance there are four ribs,` and. their edges have equi-spaced notches 3.1: therein'E so disposed as to partially receive the convolutions of a resistance coil 32 helically woundf about.. 1

the ribs. While two diametrically opposite ribs` terminate remote from the inner end of the hub 28, the remaining two diametrically oppositeV ribs have rearward longitudinal extensions; y314s which extend to a point adjacent to but slightlyinwardly of the inner end of the hub.

Each of the extensions 34 of the ribs 30,:fhas a, metallic U-shaped prong 35 attached thereto; The closed ends of the prongs extend across the of the hub and the discharge end 9 of the nozzle 5. The inner end of the hub 28 abuts the front of the insulating bar I6 to properly position the heating element longitudinally in the nozzle, and the arms of each of the prongs 35 are releasably gripped between the spring clip portions 21 of the contact clips 22. In this manner the contact clips cooperate with the rod i9' to establish a mechanical connection between the heating element and the supporting structure I0 to normally .preclude longitudinal shifting of the element on the rod, and, in addition, the clips serve to elecifs tricallyl connect the resistance coil with the electrie supply conductors of the dryer. In this respect, it is to be noted that the clips cooperate 'with the rod toA maintain the heating element centered in the nozzle.

. Telescoped over the discharge end of the vnozzle V5 tol hold the complementary nozzle sec tions together is a cap 3e having a vented end Wall 39. extending across the end of the nozzle.

fricentral aperture 5:6 in the end wall 39 is of a size to receive the forwardly projecting end of the rod I9 so that aA nut @i2 threaded onto the projecting end of the rod. holds the. cap against displace-nient from the discharge end of the nozzle.

In 4addition the cap 3B and the aperture therein constitutes, in eifect, aA front bearing structure for the front,v of the element. vIn this manner the spring .yieldingjly resists forward shifting of the heatingrelement and infact urges the same rearyvandlyV against the insulating bar I6 to maintain .the prongs on the element between their spring `clip contacts.

The use of the spring 43 is preferable since it automatically compensates for longitudinal cap, to telescope over the entire outer reduced end; portion of; the nozzle.` Hence, it will beseen that While the, spring clip contacts grip the prongs-of they heating elementwith suicient force to- 'normally hold they element, against forward v'shiftingthe cap, acting through the spring d3,

outerViv ends of the rib extensions and the arms;

protective, wire screen M- is 'slipped on over the.;

36 ofthe prongs overlie the sides of their'respec! tive rib extensions and project. forwardly. valong the hub. The prongs 35 are rigidly-fixedinthese positions by means of a bolt 3l passing through; the forward or outer ends of each of the prongs:` and the rib extension embraced thereby. 'Ihci bolts 31 likewise serve to electrically connect one, end of the coil 32 with each` prong 35.. AIence it, can be seen that the hubl 23 isinterposed between the pair ofprongs 35 to electrically separate andi aid in supporting them on thespiderpr-OVided.,by@ the hub and its ribs.y

The heatingunit is positioned: in th nozzle 5 with the rod I9' received in the aperturezfof the.A

prevents s uch shifting of the, element andA disengagement of; the contacts which might result from abusive handling ofi the hair dryer.

In; accordance withY the Underwriters code, a

forward end of the rod ,ahead ot the; spring I3 but behind the end wall 39 ofi the-cap. The screenY extendsy across the. entire nozzle and' is heidi in abutting `relationship.. with the end wall 3d: of the cap.. bytlieforce of the expansive. spring; 413 acting gage the pron-gs: fromtheir` spring clip.y contacts.v

TheA elementis then easily slid` along the. rod and hub 2tv and projectingn ironia-nd beyondrtheenit: u: oitneouter endthereof.

Hence it can also be seen that the act ofrinserting the heating element into the nozzle also establisheselectrical Contact between the ends of the heating coil on the element and the supply terminals cf the dryer.

From the foregoing description, taken together with the accompanying drawing, it will be readily apparent that this invention provides an inexpensive yet highly effective manner oi removably securing the heating element of a hair dryer in place in the nozzle of the dryer.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In an electrical appliance: a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to ow; an insulating member fixed inside the nozzle a distance from the discharge end thereof and extending across the interior of the nozzle; a pair of spring clip contacts xed on said insulating member and to which electric power wires are adapted to be attached; a heating unit inside the nozzle of a size to clear the sides of the nozzle when the unit is centered in the nozzle, said heating unit including a heating coil; and means for holding the heating unit centered in the nozzle and against displacement axially of the nozzle including a pair of contacts xed to the heating unit and each releasably gripped by one of said spring clip contacts, each of said conlil tacts being electrically connected with one end of y the heating coil.

2. In an electrical appliance: a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to new; a supporting bracket ixed inside the nozzle a distance from one end thereof an insulating bar secured to said bracket in a position extending across the interior of the nozzle; a pair of spring clip contacts xed on said insulating bar and to which electric power wires are adapted to be attached; a heating element mounted inside the nozzle and of a size to clear the sides of the nozzle, said element including a heating coil; and means for holding the heating element against displacement axially of the nozzle including a pair of contacts xed to the heating element and each releasably gripped by one of said spring clip contacts, each of said contacts being electrically connected with one end of the heating coil.

3. In an electrical appliance: a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to flow; a block of insulative material xed in the nozzle a distance back from its discharge end; a heating element inside the nozzle including a spider of insulative material having its exterior spaced from the sides of the nozzle, and a resistance coil wound about the exterior of the spider; and interengaging parts carried by said block and the spider brought into engagement with one another by motion of the spider in a direction toward the block, the block carried parts being adapted to have supply conductors connected thereto, and the spider carried parts being electrically connected with the ends of the coil thereon so as to establish an electrical connection between the coil and the supply conductors when said parts are interengaged, said interengaging parts establishing a mechanical connection between the spider and the block to hold the spider against longitudinal shifting in the nozzle.

4. The electrical appliance set forth in claim 3 further characterized by the provision of a cap on said end of the nozzle having a vented Wall portion'extending across said end of the nozzle; and detachable means for holding the cap in place on said end of the nozzle.

5. In an electrical appliance: a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to ow for discharge from one end of the nozzle; a supporting bracket secured to the nozzle at the inside thereof a distance back from its discharge end; a block of insulative material carried by said supporting member; a pair of substantially U-shaped spring clips xed to said block of insulative material and each having spaced arms embracing the block and extending beyond the block toward the discharge end of the nozzle, said spring clips being adapted to have supply conductors connected thereto; a rod supported at one end by said bracket and projecting lengthwise along the axis of the nozzle to have its opposite end adjacent to the discharge end of the nozzle; a heating unit slidably received on said rod with its exterior spaced from the side wall of the nozzle, said heating unit including a spider or" insulative material, a resistance coil wound about the exterior of the spider, and a pair of metallic prongs fixed to the spider and each electrically connected with one end of the resistance coil, each of said prongs being detachably received between and securely gripped by the arms of one of said spring clips whereby said spring clips normally hold the spider against longitudinal shifting on said rod; a cap received on the discharge end of the nozzle and having a vented end wall extending thereacross and provided with a central aperture through which said opposite end of the rod projects to receive support from the cap; and means detachably engaged with said projecting end of the rod for holding the cap against displacement from the discharge end of the nozzle.

6. In an electrical appliance: a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to flow for discharge from one end of the nozzle; a U-shaped supporting bracket xed in the nozzle remote from the discharge end thereof, said U-shaped supporting bracket having its closed end extending transversely across the interior of the nozzle and having its legs projecting toward the discharge end of the nozzle and overlying diametrically opposite side wall portions of the nozzle, said legs having a pair of ears struck inwardly therefrom a distance from said closed end of the bracket; a transverse insulating bar fixed to said ears; a pair of female spring clip contacts secured to said insulating bar in spaced relation to one another and projecting toward the discharge end of the nozzle with the entrance between the contacts facing said discharge end of the nozzle, each of said spring clips being adapted to 1nave an electrical supply conductor connected thereto; a rod having its inner end fixed to the closed end of the U-shaped bracket and extending lengthwise along the axis of the nozzle toward the discharge end thereof, the outer end of the rod terminating adjacent to said discharge end of the nozzle; and a heating unit supported on and held centered in the nozzle by said rod, said heating unit being slidable off of the outer end of the rod to enable removal of the heating unit from the nozzle, and said heating unit including an elongated spider of insulative material, a resistance coil wound about the exterior of the spider, and a pair or metallic prongs xed to the inner end of said spider and each electrically connected with one end of the resistance coil, each of said prongs being snugly embraced by one of said spring clip contacts so as to electrically connect the coil with the electrical supply conductors and to normally hold the spider against longitudinal shifting in the nozzle, and said prongs being readily connectable with and disconnected from the spring clip contacts by sliding the heating unit in one direction or the other along said rod.

7. As an article olir manuiacture, a heating element comprising: a. spider of insulative material having an elongated hub, and a plurality of circumierentialiy spaced longitudinal ribs projecting radially irom the exterior or said hub, a pair oi' said ribs being longitudinally extended at one end of the hub; a heating coil wound around said spider and supported on the ribs thereof; a U-shaped contact fixed to each of said rib extensions with their closed ends extending across the outer ends of their' rib extensionsand withl their arms embracing the sides of their rib extensions and projecting longitudinally of the hub of the spider; and an electrical connection between each oisaid contacts and one end of the heating coil.

8. As an article of manufacture, a heating element comprising: an elongated spider of in-A sulative material having a hub and a plurality of circumi'erentially spaced longitudinal ribs projecting radially therefrom, certain of said ribs terminating short oi one end of the spider, and a substantially diametrlcally opposite pair of said ribs having extensions terminating ad'ja` cent to the ends of the spider, a heating coil Wound around said spider and supported on the ribs thereof; a U-shap'ed contact on each of said i'ib extensions with their closed ends extending across the longitudinal extremities of the extensions and with their arms embracing the sides of the extensions and projecting longi-Y tudinally along the hub of the spider, said rib extensions having one end portion of the' hub interposed therebetween; means securing each of said contacts on its rib extension; and elec;

trical conductors leading from the' ends.v of thev heating coil to the contacts and maintained connected with the contacts by said securing means for the contacts'.

9. In a device of the 'character described: a tubular nozzle through which air is' adapted to' be discharged, said nozzle comprising comple-Y mentary longitudinal nozzlesectios, each ofv said sections having' substantially diametricall'y" opposite longitudinally extending marginalledge" portions with the edges of one section overlying the edges ofY the other section; a heating" element in the nozzle; supporting means for' holding said heating element in place in the nozzle including a bracket; a riveted coriectioi'fibetween the bracket and the marginal edges of said other nozzle section concealed by said overlying marginal edges on the first designated nozzle section; a rod carried by said bracket and projecting longitudinally along the centerv of the nozzle toward the discharge end thereof; a cap on the discharge end of the nozzle suirounding the nozzle sections to hold the saine together; and means cooperable with said ed of the rod for holding said cap in place on the discharge end of the nozzle.

10. In an electrical appliance: a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to now; an insulating member nxed inside the nozzle a distance irom the discharge end thereof and extending across the interior or the nozzle; a pair or spring clip contacts fixed on said insulating member and to which electric power wires are adapted to be attached; a heating unit inside the nozzle 0l' a size to clear the sides of the nozzle when the unit is centered in the nozzle,

said heating unit including a heating coll; as

cap detachably secured on the discharge end oi' the nozzle and having a vented wall portion extending across the nozzle; and means for holding the heating unit centered in the nozzle and against displacement axially of the nozzle including a pair of contacts xed to one end of the vheating unit and each releasably gripped by one of said spring clip contacts, and an expan-4 sive spring interposed between the opposite end of the heating unit and the vented wall portion of the cap.

ll. In a device or the character described; a tubular nozzle through which air is adapted to be discharged, said nozzle comprising a pair oi complementary longitudinal nozzle sections, each of said sections having substantially diametrically opposite longitudinally extending marginal edge portions with the edges of one section overlying the edges of the other section; a heating element in the nozzle; supporting means for holding said heating element in place in the nozzle including a bracket; a riveted connection between the bracket and the marginal edges of said other nozzle section concealed by said overlying marginal edges on the rst designated nozzle section; a cap detachably secured over the discharge end of the nozzle and having a wall portion extending thereacross; and means for holding said heating element centered in the nozzle and against displacement axially of the nozzle including a spring interposed between the heating element and the cap, and by which the heating unit is urged against a portion oi said supporting means.

FRITZ VICTOR FORSS.

REFERENCES CITED rlhe following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES' PATENTS Number Name Date Re.1`7,237 Martin Mar. 12, 1929 1,346,471 Slater July 13, 1920 1,454,151 BrownA May 8, 1923 1,589,981 Moore June 22, 1926 1,743,963 Gaire Jan. 14, 1930 1,869,737 Breuer Aug. 2*, 1932' 1,985,136 Amoo Dec. 18, 1934 

